The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic

Day 2446

Today is a special day for our guests.

Earlier, your father told me to give him the best hospitality I could, but I made the mistake of getting the name of a new acquaintance wrong.

How could I, how could I, how could I fail at the first step when first impressions are so important? I don't know what I should look like when I meet him--Usato-san.

But I can't stay like this forever.

Usato-san has been waiting for me outside. Staying in my room like this now, writing down my anxieties, won't change anything.

Don't misbehave.

Do not make mistakes.

We must be hospitable.

You must know him.

You have to get to know them.

I feel very happy right now.

Because Mr. Usato is staying here for a little while longer. I was worried because people who come here usually leave soon.

He is very funny and a great guy who can keep working out for hours after dinner. And I'm so glad that he and Eiri got along so well right away.

The next few days are going to be very fruitful for me.

But I'm also worried that he might leave here when we're all asleep.

Let's go see his room before the sun comes up.

Early to bed and early to rise is important, so it shouldn't be a problem.

Have a great day.

Good night.

Day 2447

Today was a normal day since Usato spent half of the day at the castle.

No, it was not.

Today, before the sun came up, I went to check on Usato's room and found him gone.

Seeing the clean bed and the deserted room, I thought of the worst.

I rushed out of the room to find that Usato-san had started his morning training this early in the morning!

I thought he had run away, but he was right there.

He wasn't a liar.

When he looked at me, his face was very pale, but I guess that was because he was freezing in the morning cold. It was very strange of him to get up so early on such a cold morning and do something so physical.

After that, as I wrote in the beginning, Usato went to the castle.

I went about my daily routine, cleaning the house, the garden, the pond, the flower beds, polishing my mother's grave, and so on.

Usato came home when the sun was slightly tilted from overhead, right?

He was checking on the safety of his friends who had visited Samaritan with him. He seemed relieved, so they were probably all right.

I suggested that they could come to ...... if they wanted, but Mr. Usato immediately turned pale and waved his hands to the side saying, "Don't worry, don't worry".

Why did he refuse?

I was going to offer him more hospitality than he had just received.

Well, it was another wonderful day.

Good night.

Day 2448

Today was a day when the house was even cleaner than usual.

Usato-san asked me if there was anything he could do for me after his early morning training, just as he did yesterday.

I was thinking that I couldn't let him do that ......, but Eiri asked me to help him clean the place.

I thought about it and realized that I had always cleaned by myself or with Eiri, so this was the first time for me to do it with someone other than Eiri.

As I am writing this diary, I realized that I was so happy to be with someone else at that time that I had never thought of that idea.

However, I disagreed with Usato's suggestion to "share the cleaning work".

I thought it would be better for everyone to clean the same place at such a time, because it would be cleaner.

For some reason, I thought I saw no light in Usato's eyes, but he said not to worry about it, so I guess it must be all right.

Everyday is different when I look at him.

I wish he would stay here more often.

Have a great day.

Good night.

Good night.

Three days have passed since my visit to Samarriar's castle.

During that time, I asked Lucas-sama to ask some questions to make sure Aruk and the others were safe, but when I heard that there was a man and two girls staying at the inn, I was relieved to know that Amako and Néa were both safe.

On the other hand, these three days had worn me out in many ways.

I could feel her eyes on me no matter where I was in this ward. It was not a big place, so it might not be so bad, but when I turned around, she was hiding behind a tree or a house and staring at me.

I can't tell you how many times I paled at the sight that made me want to sneer at her, and more than anything, I can't say anything because the way this girl looked at me was like an innocent child's eyes, without any malice or anything.

"Huh."

Morning of the fourth day.

I had gone outside to do my daily strength training.

Looking up at the whitening sky, I take a deep breath and try to do my usual routine, but I can't help but check behind me, because I've been lightly afraid of her existence for the past three days.

She was ephemeral---or perhaps you could say she had no presence.

At first I was able to dismiss it as my imagination, but it was unusual for me to be repeatedly caught behind her without being aware of her presence.

"......Who the hell is she, ......?"

Sick or not.

I once tried to cast a normal healing spell on her with a glove, but it had no effect. I am sure that it is not from something external such as an injury.

The only remaining possibilities are internal, like a disease, or something else. .......

"We could try to strengthen the system ...... or not at all."

I have not yet fully mastered the use of lineage enhancement. It would be better not to use it while there is a danger of a magical outburst.

I walk around the garden, pondering what to do.

Then, I notice that someone is sitting in front of the place where the white stone monument is.

"...... Eva?"

No, it's bigger than her. Then, is it Eiri or ......?

I can't see much because of the morning haze, so I try to get closer to the monument. As I get a little closer, I can clearly see a figure sitting in front of the monument.

The man who was sitting on his haunches in front of the monument --- his luxurious robe was placed on the ground without hesitation, and he was smiling kindly at the silent monument.

"Mr. Lucas?"

"Yes?　Oh, Usato. You're early."

"Huh. ......"

King of Samaritan, Lucas Urd Samaritan.

He turned around and approached us casually.

"What's wrong?　It's so early in the morning.

"As a king, I have to get up before everyone else to show that I'm a king... but that's just the way it is, and I can't get any free time during the day, so here I am."

Lucas looks at the stone monument.

I have been too shy to ask him for the past three days, but what is this monument?

Eva had been polishing it with great care, so I know it is important.

Perhaps sensing my question, Master Lucas turned his gaze from the monument to me and slowly opened his mouth.

"This is ...... the tomb of my wife, Eliza Urd Samariar."

"Tomb ......"

There is no one here, though. This grave is just for my own self-satisfaction and a small consolation for the child who never knew her mother.

With a self-mocking smile, Master Lucas reaches into the tomb and places his hand on the glossy surface.

The pure white surface of the tomb is surprisingly smooth, with not a single irregularity.

"This is where her name was carved," he says.

"Was it carved ......?　But nothing ......."

"Well, I called an engraver all the way from the neighboring country and had him engrave it beautifully. ...... she polishes it every day with such care, look, it's so scraped off you can't even see the name."

"Every day, sir?"

Yes, every day. I have been polishing Eliza's grave every single day for ten years since I was five years old. ......"

That's why he was polishing it so carefully.

And he did it every single day for ten years, to the point that the engraved letters were scraped off and crushed. .......

"How can I say that, you know, you're a very healthy ......."

"Hahaha, I can see you are choosing your words. You should honestly tell me, it's heavy."

No, that's what I thought, but there was no way I could say something like that behind his daughter's back in front of her father.

Master Lucas looked amused at my silence, but when he looked up at the brightening sky, he muttered, "Yes," and looked at me.

"I had him make breakfast, would you like to join me?"

"......"

I don't know, I was thinking that Eiri would make breakfast for me, and more importantly, I would do my morning strength training. No, we can do strength training after we eat.

Lucas made you prepare breakfast: ....... It's not that the food Eiri-san makes is bad, but I'm getting tired of the same menu every time. I know I've only been here for about three days, but I'm not sure if I should be saying this or not... .......

"Don't worry. The food they have the cooks prepare is just the usual stuff."

I'll be happy to go.

"You have a good personality, you know that?"

Master Lucas smiles at my immediate answer, stands up, brushes the dirt off his robe, and looks behind me.

"Is that okay then?　Eva?"

"Yes?"

With his words, I turn around to see Eva staring intently at me through the slightly open back door, her white hair familiar to me.

She smiles happily at Lucas's words, nods her head and waves her hand.

Since when... well, I'm used to it. She really doesn't show any sign of life. When she comes this far, I suspect that she is using some kind of magic.

"It's gotten pretty... ......"

"What?"

"Hmm, it's nothing. Now that we have the princess's permission, let's get moving."

"Ha, ha ......"

Mr. Lucas spun around and started walking in the direction of the exit of the ward.

I couldn't help but listen back, but the words I had just heard were...,

"Ki,haku?"

Kihaku_...... spirit, or is it thin?

I felt an inexpressible tug at his words and the bitter expression on Master Lucas's face, but I followed behind him as he went on ahead.

I was so excited to see him.

The breakfast that Master Lucas had prepared for us was unexpectedly ordinary.

It was not a long table with many plates of food on it, as you often see in movies, but a normal sized table with just the right amount of food.

However, since this was a king's meal, the table, plates, and even the forks were all expensive-looking, and the food was the most sumptuous breakfast I have ever had in this world.

As for the food, it was easily the most sumptuous breakfast I had ever eaten in this world. Besides me, who was seated across from Mr. Lucas, there were only a few knights standing by the wall, who seemed to be on guard, but no one else was around.

Even though it was early in the morning, the lack of security made me think that there was a possibility of assassination or kidnapping.

"Excuse me, are you sure that you can get by with so few people watching over you?"

Do you think you will harm me?

"No, that's not possible. ......

Then don't worry. Then don't worry. If you are more cautious than you should be, you won't be able to trust us. Besides, these knights here are good men. I wouldn't think of assassinating them, and I won't let you. ............ right, right?"

What are you going to do if you're worried after you say it?

Lucas turns to the knight standing by the wall and asks him, "What are you worried about? The knights all have a troubled look on their faces.

This kind of frankness is also different from the king of Lingle Kingdom.

"So, how are your three days there?

"...... I'm having a good time. Your daughter has helped me a lot."

He answers Mr. Lucas's question with an affectionate smile.

I am not lying. It is true that she has helped me a lot.

Well, she may be a little too much, but she's still a healthy person. But I didn't think she'd last three days. I was prepared to let you stay at the castle if you didn't want to."

"What about ......?　You didn't think I'd make a sound, so you made me stay there?"

"Ha-ha-ha."

Don't laugh and fool yourself. .......

"Why would I change it now?"

"Yes, but..."

"Then why don't you? He's really not here.　There really isn't anyone who understands her abnormality and still wants to live with her. Everyone ran away from her because she creeped them out with her common sense and insanity. ......"

Wielding common sense and treating people insanely---yes, that couldn't be a more apt description of Eva.

I've been involved with some troublesome people in various ways, such as the lifeguard corps and my seniors, and I have a certain tolerance for them, so maybe I was okay with it.

But what I'm wondering is why Lucas-sama wanted me to meet Eva at the last minute. It's not like he takes everyone who visits him to see Eva.

"Why did you let me meet her in the first place ......?"

"No, I don't have a good reason. If I had to say, I was hoping that he would take a daughter and come to my country.

"Isn't the idea a little too aggressive ......?"

It was more of a planned set-up than I thought. ......?　Could it be that one mistake could send you straight to the graveyard of your life?

He's the kind of person who says horrible things while eating breakfast with a nonchalant look on his face.

"What are you talking about? I was made king by the former king in that high-handed way. I didn't feel alive at the time, but I'm still king at my age, so I'm doing all right. Besides, she looks just like Eliza when she was young, with a few character defects, but she is good-natured, strong-willed, and above all, beautiful.

"I don't know if you can say that. ......"

You can't be that afraid.

Moreover, they casually resemble each other in their difficult personalities. ...... Could it be that they have inherited these traits?　He may have had a hard time in many ways, as he seems to be looking at things a little far away from Lucas.

But...,

"I don't think we should ignore Eva's wishes, do you?"

And mine, too.

"I thought it wouldn't be a bad idea to give up my daughter to bring in someone like you."

"Offering" is such a nice way of putting it. ......

"We use everything we can. If it leads to the future of this kingdom... of Samaritan, I don't care if you call me an outcast."

That doesn't mean you'd give up your own daughter. .......

I have no intention of marrying her in the first place. I have no intention of marrying her in the first place, not only because I'm ignoring her wishes, but also because I myself have no intention of coming here at the moment.

"The same goes for slaves and beastmen. The climate of hostility toward slave ownership and beastmen is a kind of camouflage to prevent people from complaining about the national government, which is necessary for Samaritan, so we have adopted it. ---- Sorry for you, though, traveling with a beastly girl."

"......"

"Oh, don't be angry. Don't be angry with me. I was the one who instructed you to hide me at the inn so that I wouldn't be seen by the people. I didn't mean to take you hostage. It's a fool's errand to make people follow you by holding them hostage, and you'll be punished severely at some point.

I stared at him when he suddenly mentioned Amaco.

I let out a breath to calm down and relax my shoulders.

"Slaves are excellent labor, but we make sure that they follow the minimum rules for dealing with slaves in this country. We forbid any kind of violence, unjust punishment, or excessive labor to slaves---If I see such a person, I make sure he or she is immediately captured."

"You don't think slaves will be unhappy here?"

"I didn't go that far. They would be unhappy enough if there was an event that reduced them to slavery in the first place. ----but, well, ...... yes, I would at least like them to work in my country without being unhappy."

Master Lucas's words reminded me of a boy I had seen before I came here, who seemed to be a slave.

He sat down politely, smiled at me innocently and waved his hand, but I did not feel that he was unhappy.

I can't say for sure because I still don't know much about this country and that boy, but I'm starting to think that Samaritan is still a friendly country for slaves than I thought.

"Haha, well, I'm honestly glad it's not what I imagined it would be."

"For my part, I was afraid of you looking at me with a blank expression all the time. I was afraid that if you got out of line, even Fegnis wouldn't be able to stop you.

Ha-ha-ha, that's an exaggeration.

"A little ogre that keeps moving as long as its magic lasts is nothing short of a nightmare. Besides, you could disable the knight almost instantly if you wanted to, couldn't you?　Even if we were to take you down in numbers, I have no idea how many people we would have to mobilize to catch you with your quickness.

The way you're dealing with me, it's like you're trying to capture a ferocious monster.

"Ha-ha-ha. What a monster! The more I think about it, the more I feel like I can't catch you!　You're the second Rose!

Is that a compliment?

Of course!

I don't feel like I'm being praised at all, being casually referred to as the second Rose or a monster.

Moreover, they are quite overrated. Even I have no choice but to run away if I am attacked by a crowd of knights. If I have to fight them off,...... I can just stun them one by one with a healing punch,......?　The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should not be afraid to use the same kind of magic to attack people.

"...... Anyway, you don't have any particular purpose in bringing me to see Eva?"

"Yes, I do. I was hoping for the best, but I knew that your personality would make it impossible, so I really just sort of let you meet with her. Well, in the end, I am personally satisfied because I was able to give Eva a good memory."

"Memories: ......"

I nod my head as Master Lucas's face breaks into a smile.

He cares about Eva, I know that. But he still tries to give her up to me, his precious daughter, and lets her live in that ward.

I had considered the possibility that they wanted me to see Eva because they wanted me to heal her with healing magic, but that was not the case either.

Is it that they think I can't do it?

Or is there another reason why she is in the castle?

I can't get a clear answer just by passively listening to her.

Then..,

"Mr. Lucas, I was wondering if you might be able to ......"

"Hmm?　What is it?"

My healing magic might be able to cure Eva.

This should give you a rough answer.

Either it can be cured, or it can't be cured, or it doesn't need to be cured.

Master Lucas, who had been looking at me mildly, stiffens at my words, but he spins his words without caring.

But I can't do it now. I am ashamed to say that I myself am still inexperienced in many aspects of healing magic, and I cannot say that I am skilled enough to cure illnesses. However, if I can master the strengthening of the lineage of healing magic that I am currently mastering, I can cure the illness that is eating away at her..."

"Usato."

A quiet, commanding voice called my name with a sharp snap.

I stop speaking because of the force of the voice and look at Master Lucas, and he opens his mouth with a somewhat sad expression.

"I appreciate your goodwill very much, but... it's not possible. It's not that simple."

"......If I'm not strong enough, there are people in the Lingle Kingdom who can strengthen the lineage of healing magic. I'm sure they can ...... help you."

"No. No, no. Eva's body has a problem, but it's not a disease. If it wasn't, who would want to keep her in a place like that, teaching her not to have any hope in the outside world? ---You're a really good guy, Usat. You have a kind heart to succeed her. But this..."

With a self-mocking sneer on his face, Master Lucas pauses before leaning back against the backrest as if to relax, and then, without effort..,

"...... this is a sin. It has nothing to do with her, it's an unreasonable and too wrong---the curse of death that consumes the royal family of Samaritan."

He said.